1
as in timid
easily frightened
a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a shy person who finds talking to anyone but a close friend to be an awkward and unpleasant experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
the team is shy a couple of players because of illness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in notorious
not respectable
she was nervous about being left alone in a shy bar in a bad section of town
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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a shy person
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shy
Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Oh, and on March 5, 2022, just shy of 19,000 NBA fans were leaving the Charlotte Hornets’ game that started at 4 p.m. at Spectrum at the same time an MLS-record 74,479 people were assembling at BofA for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home game against the LA Galaxy.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
Time, 11 Apr. 2025
While the romance didn’t make headlines until last June, the duo have not shied away from the public since.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
But in large part because of the cooperation Francis provided, prosecutors recommended a sentence just shy of 12 years.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Oh, and on March 5, 2022, just shy of 19,000 NBA fans were leaving the Charlotte Hornets’ game that started at 4 p.m. at Spectrum at the same time an MLS-record 74,479 people were assembling at BofA for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home game against the LA Galaxy.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Despite long questioning predecessor Joe Biden’s physical and mental capacity, Trump himself has routinely kept basic facts about his own health shrouded in secrecy—shying away from traditional presidential transparency on medical issues.
—Time, 11 Apr. 2025
While the romance didn’t make headlines until last June, the duo have not shied away from the public since.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
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Wu was seen as timid at the beginning of the migrant crisis, staying in the background while Healey seized a Roxbury community rec center as a migrant shelter.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Of course, a lot of Republicans don’t feel that way because they’re being tricked into returning to a George W. Bush-era mindset where Democrats are weak and timid on the world stage while Republicans are tough and firm and willing to bomb the hell out of anyone who stands in their way.—
Connor Okeeffe,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Its influence on the withdrawn protagonist, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is largely implied.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Third-party cookies are notorious for helping analytics firms and advertisers track users’ activities, potentially violating their online privacy.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
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El Salvador's top Catholic leader on Sunday urged President Nayib Bukele not to turn the country into a Guantanamo-style U.S. prison, after Bukele made a deal with Washington to house deported migrants from the United States in a notorious jail.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
When confronted with this new, harsh reality, our state didn’t flinch.—
Wes Moore,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Apr. 2025
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Yes, there will be some wins, at least from an optics perspective, but especially with China neither Trump nor Xi wants to be the first to flinch.—
Chuck Jones,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.—
Lindsy Van Gelder,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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Their recruitment model is heavily dependent on identifying and developing young talent — often at low cost by Premier League spending standards — from all over the world.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In Henry’s latest, out April 22, two novelists compete for the chance to write a once-in-a-lifetime biography of a infamous heiress.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
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After being dealt from the Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox in 2020 as part of the infamous Mookie Betts trade, then traded again — this time by Boston to its archrival New York Yankees — the 28-year-old finally got his first chance to cash in via free agency after last season.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These sprays shrink the blood vessels in your nasal passages.—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2025
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And this isn’t just a method to shrink your waistline: The pros at Buchinger say that fasting is able to improve your quality of life both now and in the future, acting as a safeguard against aging.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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